tanman82, are you suggesting that Nakamichi CM-700's are mediocre microphones and that Barry Glassberg made a good recording based solely on location?

Listen to ALL the china -riders from this short march tour. They are ALL GOOD. Ive always loved this one since that very night. Check out the Clevleand Music hall version from the prior week. Good C. Miller board tape too.

Regarding taping. Location, location, location. Mediocre equipment in front of the board will usually, almost always make a better recording than shoeps, nuemanns etc behind the board. There are a LOT of very good,great recordings from 81-84when most recordings are from in front of the board(FOB) when the taping community began to grow and then explode in 83/84. To those of you who were around and remember by 1984 there were SO MANY tapers in front of the board that it became hard to see the stage. This is what prompted the start of the tapers section behind the board for the BCT shows in oct of 84. Also notice all the good/great recordings from Springfield civic center going back to 1973!! That facility had GREAT acoustics. The last time the Dead played there Healy was speaking at one of the local colleges and he commented on the 'greatness' of that place. There are dozens of great aud tapes from that spring of 84(?) show. also notice that outdoor, stadium shows usually come out well. One you are in front of the board, close to the stage.2- the PA is usually cranked in an effort to fill the large stadium.3- no boominess, echo outdoors although wind was sometimes an issue. If you listen to most aud shows from the 80's the biggest problem is a lack of bass. Phil usually just sounded 'boomy' with little to no dynamics. You had to be close ie 50 -60 feet from the stage to get 'presence.' or be in a facility with superior acoustics like the springfield civic.. Greek theatre tapes usually came out well even behind the board. Regarding the large outdoor shows, check out all the very good, great recordings of Lewiston, Maine from 9/80. there are also good ie better than avg tapes from Roosevelt stadium in 73. Good location close to the stage at an outdoor venue(no echo,boominess. Of course there is always Bertrando's Hollywood tapes from 8/71. Good location, outdoors and facility with good acoustics. The acronym FOB came about because people realized(knew) that proximity to the stage was THE most important factor.

Who ever said the Dead sucked post '77 can't have
dipped into these early 80s gems. This concert is funky, up beat and the sound quality is excellent.

This is a fantastic audience recording. The quality is amazing.

The band was also hot this night, making this one a necessity for any collection.

Thanks so much for this instant classic!

I wish all the tapes had this kind of sound - just like you're there. Boost the bass a little bit & you're in business for the next 2 and half hours. The people that gave this a 3 are way too picky.

The Grateful Dead Listening Guide notes that Garcia is really "on". He is, but I've heard him onner. You're in Golden Hall '82 territory here, OK? Also, apart from Mydland, the rest of the band doesn't sound that on to me at all. All this plus a fairly ordinary set list. Even the China > Rider, which I noticed as hot the first time I heard it, doesn't bear up as well to a second listen. Good, but not a keeper.

For those of you who enjoy the pleasures of a pristine open-mic recording, this is one to add to the collection.

I've noted elsewhere that MSG recordings are consistently good, so find them. And listen.

Also Mr. Glassberg. Click the link to his name. He captured and preserved many shows with incredible fidelity. This guy knew what he was about.

I've had this show for well more than a year and been meaning to put up a review. So much for good intentions . . . I listen to it a LOT. Great presence of all the band, both vox and instruments. Solid bass. You're right up front with an enthusiastic crowd of Heads.

First set highlights include the opening triad with a lengthy, grungy CCR. Plus a very, very nice Birdsong.

CS>Rider rocks, tho they're brief. Ship of Fools right on thru Good Lovin' is o-me-o-my-o. Love the Estimated.

Get this show.

Not to take anything away away from Mr Glassberg's efforts. But.. there are many superior shows from '81 out there. 5/16, 8/31, 12/3 off the top of my head. There is also an annoying clapper close to the mics through-out this particular recording. The China>Rider is a keeper.

Holy crap! What a concert! The band is firing on all cylinders, especially Garcia. Every song is a pleasure to listen to...this show rocks!

Barry Glassberg has proved once again he is the MAN for early 80's FOB recording. Adam Egert and the Crew at MOTB are also top-notch at what they do. Who needs a SBD when you can listen to this masterpeice?

FYI...there is a David Gans file floating around on the Archive that interviews Glassberg, Rob Bertrando, and Jerry Moore during a setbreak at Cal Expo. These guys are the kings of AUD's and they tell some good stories.

Halfway through Feels Like a Stranger, the volume on Jerry's guitar goes from a 4 to an 11, and then its liftoff. There are so many highlights its impossible to list them all - just in the first set, the crisp soloing on Ramble on Rose, the smoking electric Deem Elem, and a wonderful, stunning Birdsong - about 3/4 of the way through, it sounds like the band is actually picking up the Dark Star theme before it shifts back - amazing.

Everything everyone says about the China Cat Sunflower / I Know You Rider is correct - this version is amazing, with Jerry simply wailing away during the transition. The Other One into Stella Blue is also magical - when the soloing starts in Stella, you can hear a pin drop, with Jerry's guitar just slicing the air in the Garden into ribbons. My only complaint about the entire show is that Uncle John's Band doesn't really find its grove - it ebbs and flows, with much more ebbing than flowing. Still, a fantastic show, one of the best I've heard from the 80's.

Very good recording of an excellent show. Mess around a bit with the eq to get a little more bass presence and this recording hits pleasantly in the wow zone. This is one of those shows you'll want to own, and you can.

this may be in the top ten best aud's on archive (bless their collective heart) it is 'bout the closest thing to a 'wayback machine.......a 'bout a million thanks,my hat is blown way off.......
red,"the hatless" sled

This is an amazing show and a wonderful recording by one of the best teams out there....

DOWNLOAD THIS AND CRANK IT UP

This is an excellent MOTB recording. A must have for your collection. Download it and crank it up and feel it for yourself. Thanks so much for your efforts and for sharing this show with others. I was at the original show, and its great to relive it again!

This is one awesome recording of a fantastic show. With AUDs like these who needs SBDs. The Stranger opener brings it on super strong, how many bands these days can open a show like this one?? Althea nice nice nice.